Auburn, ME - Head Women's Basketball Coach, Andrew Morong, has announced the roster for the 2017-18 season. The 16-player roster is made up of 12 Mainers, 2 student-athletes from New England, and 2 international players. In all, the Lady Mustangs return 9 players from last year's team, and welcome 7 newcomers.
The returning players include, Hayley Peterson (Bethel, ME), Kristina Blais (Lewiston, ME), Brooke Reynolds (Poland, ME), Rylee Moore (Livermore, ME), Ellie Harrington (Fareham, Hampshire United Kingdom), Jane Lester (Bundaberg, Queenslans, Australia), Holly Decourcey (Billerica, MA), Samantha Burke (Jefferson, ME), and Eraleena Gethers-Hairston (Auburn, ME). Blais, Reynolds, and Gethers-Hairston all started for the Mustangs last year, with Reynolds being named a USCAA 1st Team All-American and the USCAA National Tournament MVP.
The 7 newcomers bring a nice mix of size and speed to the table and include, Devona Kinsey (SMSA - New Britain, CT), Alex Bessey (Spruce Mountain HS - Jay, ME), Kristen Huntress (Lake Region HS - Harrison, ME), Natalie Thurber (Wells HS - Wells, ME), Jordyn Reynolds (Edward Little HS - Poland, ME), Cagney O'Brien (Lincoln Academy - Newcastle, ME), and Brianna Mulherin (Oak Hill HS - Wales, ME).
Coach Morong on this year's roster, "This is the roster we were envisioning and hoping for last October when some of the pieces started to fall in place, and we really couldn't be happier that it all came together. Having nine returning players is crucial. They've been through thirty four collegiate games together, and having played in multiple games in conference and national tournaments together means they have an understanding of what it takes, and how hard our season can be. Our first year players bring an incredible amount of talent to the team, and each fit a very specific need. We had a lot of success last year, but there were some glaring weaknesses we needed to address, mainly our overall athleticism, our versatility, and our perimeter shooting - with those issues being addressed by our recruiting class. Most importantly, each of the young women in our program will be engaged academically and in our community in their quest to futher their academic and athletic careers."